Why regular dental visits are so important.

Many people are reminded that it is important to go to the dentist regularly, but the full reasoning is not always explained. Since many people have an intense fear of the dentist, it helps to know why it is important to go to the dentist on a regular basis, as it may encourage otherwise nervous individuals to make a dental appointment. According to the Australian Dental Association, people should visit the dentist twice a year for a cleaning and checkup, and some individuals may need to visit more often, if they are identified as “at risk.” If you have not been within the last six months, you should probably make an appointment to go to the dentist.

The primary reason to go to the dentist is to keep your teeth in excellent health. Most dental problems do not become painful or visible until they are highly advanced. Unfortunately, dental issues are usually irreversible, meaning that an extremely painful tooth will have to be drilled or extracted. By going to the dentist regularly, you can keep an eye on your teeth with the help of x-rays and a physical examination. The dentist can identify areas of potential risk and head off major dental problems at the pass. A dentist can also identify the need for gum grafts, braces, or other measures to protect the health of your mouth.

If you go to the dentist regularly, you will avoid high risk dental infections. Not only are cavities painful, they are also potentially very dangerous for you. The infection can spread to your bloodstream, for example, leading to septicemia. Early detection will save you pain, money, and potentially serious health problems. If you don't go to the dentist, you may also experience serious health problems down the line.

It is understandable to be afraid of a trip to the dentist. If you experience immense anxiety or stress when you go to the dentist, you may want to consider visiting a psychologist or psychiatrist to talk about the issue. A mental health professional can help to talk you through your issues and address them. If necessary, a psychiatrist can prescribe anti-anxiety medication to help you go to the dentist without fear.

So call 1300 764 537 or click here to book an appointment today.

Justin Bieber's Singing Toothbrushes.

image source: Brush Buddies

The popularity of Justin Bieber has a great support by a massive merchandise with a large variety of goods and products with his image and name on, which appear in the shops and markets. Justin Biebers’ products include everything, from dolls and pencils to nail polish. Certainly, it is mostly targeted to young and teenage audience, that is why the latest trend from 17-year-old teenage singing sensation Justin Bieber’s merchandise, namely his electric singing toothbrushes, is expected to have a great demand, as well as help increase the awareness of teenagers about the importance of daily dental care and oral hygiene.

It is announced that this summer two types of special singing toothbrushes from Justin Bieber will be available for all his fans. The electric devices will come in two types – one is designed to play the tunes Somebody To Love and Love Me, while the other is going to blast out the hits like Baby and U Smile. It is interesting that each song is going to last exactly two minutes – the recommended time for brushing your teeth (twice a day). This is considered a great way to encourage young fans of Bieber to brush the teeth as long as it necessary in one session.

The price expected is going to be approximately £6 per item. If everything goes fine and the product will successfully find its users (we actually do not have doubts about it!), it is planned to launch many more of dental products in the framework of Bieber’s merchandise line. In particular, there are the ideas to start producing a larger tooth brush for older fans of young superstar, as well as dental floss and a special travel kit, which is going to include that items like a tongue scraper and a mini hourglass timer, etc.

Article Source: www.tips4dentalcare.com

Calls for a levy on soft drinks

A levy should be put on sugary soft drinks to help fund free dental care for all New Zealanders, a Christchurch MP says.

Progressive Party leader Jim Anderton has released a dental policy that he hopes the Labour Party will adopt as part of its health programme for this year's election.

Cost and access were still the major hurdles to dental care for most people, Anderton said. "The cost of extending free dental care to all would be around $1 billion a year at current prices."

He said funding could come from an ACC-type levy, a reduction in tax cuts or a levy on sugary soft drinks.

Obesity was linked to dental care, with a 2.5-litre bottle of Coca-Cola being the most-bought supermarket item in the country, he said.

"We are, without a doubt, heading towards a plague or a kind of epidemic of dental decay."

The dental system should be "gradually rebuilt" over several years, starting with vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly and pregnant women. Only 50 per cent of children had access to dental care, Anderton said.

"We were the first country to introduce a school dental system and then for some reason we closed it down altogether. We're ending up with a huge number of New Zealanders who have major problems for the whole of their lives."

He supported fluoridation of all drinking water. He said children from affluent families in Christchurch had worse dental health than those from low socioeconomic families in South Auckland because Auckland has fluoride in its water.

image supplied by freefoto.com

Article Source: stuff.co.nz

Rural Dental Care

Rural folk in Sabah having dental problems can expect to be attended to by their own “tooth ferries” four helicopters used to bring dental care to the villagers.

The state Health Department launched the country's first flying dental team yesterday, to complement its existing flying doctors service.

Its director Dr Mohd Yusof Ibrahim said the flying dental service would initially serve 14 remote settlements along the state's west coast. “The teams, comprising a dentist and two nurses, will fly to the villages along with the medical teams.

 “They will be able to provide basic dental services such as tooth extractions, fillings and simple screenings for oral cancer, which is quite prevalent among rural communities due to betel nut chewing,” he said.

The flying dental team, added Dr Mohd Yusof, would visit a village once a month, providing esssential services for the folk who were otherwise unable to go to the nearest towns to seek treatment.

He said that in the long-term, mini clinics would also be set up at 800 rural schools in the state to serve the communities in those areas.

Schools were suitable locations for the mini-clinics as these already had infrastructure such as water and electricity supply, said Dr Mohd Yusof.

“We will have a medical assistant and several nurses at these clinics,” he said, adding that the facilities would be built over the next 10 years under the 10th and 11th Malaysia Plans.

He said as part of its flying doctor operation, the department would also be introducing a medical emergency evacuation service (Medevac) by next year.

Dr Yusof said tenders would be called for the service, which would require the use of four helicopters to be based in Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan.He said the Medevac service was necessary to reduce the transfer time for patients in rural hospitals to the city, which could take up to three hours by road.

Dr Yusof said the department was also hoping to launch a boat mobile clinic by August to serve those living along Malaysia's second longest river, Sungai Kinabatangan.

  Article Source: The Star Newspaper  

 At 1300SMILES our “tooth fairies” travel by boat.  YWAM Australia’s Medical Ships provide sustainable community development with a focus on healthcare in Papua New Guinea. 1300SMILES is proud to support this cause by providing equipment, supplies, and volunteer dentists.

Visit www.ywamships.org for more information or to make a donationDr Daryl Holmes and Dannielle Brougham from 1300SMILES at work on the YWAM Medical Ship  

Changes at Smithfield

1300SMILES is proud to announce our Smithfield practice is now an MBF MemberCare Network preferred provider for dental services.  

MBF encourages you to make dental care a routine part of your life with 1300SMILES. Depending on your level of cover, they will provide you with 60%-100% of the charge back on all preventive and general dental services provided at the dental practice in smithfield to help you maintain your healthy smile.

Another change at 1300SMILES Smithfield, is the addition of three new dentists to our practice. We welcome Dr Nigam Kansagara, Dr Amir Samad and Dr Hazel Tywcross.

As a Dentist, Dr Kansagra  has a special interest in Aesthetic Dentistry, Endodontics,  and Crowns and Bridges. Dr Samad is experienced in all facets of general density is passionate about good customer service.  Dr Tywcross is a gentle and caring dentist with an interest in all aspects of general dentistry with a focus on patient care.

Together with MBF our new friendly team of dentists will assist you in making dental care a part of your health and well being routine and make sure you always leave with a smile.

Contact us now on 1300 764 537 to make an appointment to see how you can have beautiful teeth for life.